Instant messaging architecture and system for interoperability and presence management

Abstract

A computer network system establishes an instant messaging (IM) session between a first user registered with a first ISP (ISP) and at least one user registered with a second ISP when the two ISPs operate using different IM protocols. The ISPs each contain a Local IM server connected to each registered user. Each ISP also contains a Universal IM server that is connected to the distributed network. The Universal IM server includes a database that stores routing information and Presence information for each user registered with the second ISPs and facilitates communications between the first and second user using a universal format, such as XML.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates generally to instant messaging, and more particularly relates to providing an open network to provide interoperability between multiple platforms operating under a single instant messaging standard. BACKGROUND [0002] The Internet has changed the way people communicate. For many people, electronic mail, known as “e-mail,” has practically replaced traditional letters and in some instances, phones calls, as the primary means of communication. Users of the Internet send literally millions of e-mail messages across the Internet on a daily basis. The popularity of being able to send messages anywhere in the world in a matter of minutes, or even seconds, has mad e-mail the most rapidly accepted form of correspondence to date. The use of e-mail has risen from obscurity, used once only by academics and the military, to the dominant mode of public communication in less than twenty years. [0003] However, in our fast-paced world where the desire for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] The present invention addresses the above-described needs in a universal instant messaging system. Generally described, a computer network system according to an embodiment of the invention for establishing a communications link between a first user registered with a first service provider network and at least one user registered with a second service provider network when the two networks operate using different protocols. The networks, which are connected by a distributed network, such as the Internet, each contain a Local IM server connected to each user. The Local IM server controls the flow of electronic information between the users logged onto the particular network.

Problems solved by technology

However, in our fast-paced world where the desire for access to more information at a faster rate increases on a daily basis, the once rapid response of e-mail communications is no longer fast enough to keep pace with society's need.

Unfortunately, these methods do not allow users of one system to easily contact and communicate with users of other systems.

Unfortunately, each of the current IM services lacks a coherent standard.

As a result, a user can only receive presence information and send messages to individuals that are registered with the same IM service as the sender.

Thus, the lack of a standard protocol for IM severely limits the potential application of IM by restricting the number of potential recipients to those users registered on the same service as the sender of the IM message.

A major drawback to this system is that each IM client that a user wishes to communicate with must be connected to the IM server and must be part of the network due to the proprietary nature of the protocol.

If the IM client happens to lie outside the IM network, he or she will not be able communicate with anyone in the network.

However, because each IM service provider has spent considerable capital developing a format for instant messaging, the IETF has yet been unable to establish a standard protocol.

Unfortunately, most of the IM services do not use XML as their IM format.

Therefore, the JABBER system adds additional cost and complexity to the IM infrastructure.

However, for other foreign protocols that are poorly documented, such as Yahoo!® Instant Messenger, the translation to and from JABBER XML can either be difficult and slow.

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